Knights enter playoffs mulling who will be in net
LAS VEGAS — Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said he is still trying to figure out how to handle the goalie situation, whether to play both or to hand the bulk of the work to one over the other.
And then which one over the other?
Logan Thompson and Adin Hill each have compelling cases to be in the net when Vegas begins its Stanley Cup title defense. There also are equally compelling reasons why each should step aside while the other takes over.
Cassidy has split the starts down the stretch, and Thompson has been the better goaltender of late, but Hill’s play in last year’s postseason was a major reason the Knights now have a championship banner hanging in T-Mobile Arena.
“I think [Thompson’s] mindset is good going into the playoffs,” Cassidy said. “He hasn’t played playoff hockey, so that’s another animal. So, to say, ‘OK, Logan, you’re going to be the guy,’ [but] he’s never played, is that fair to him, especially after what Hilly did last year?
“If we just give it to Hilly and say, ‘OK, have at it,’ well, Logan’s played pretty well recently and played more because he’s been healthier. So, is that the right way to go? You probably in some way, shape or form will see both guys. That’s not because of poor play, either. That just might be the best way to go for where they’re both at right now and how their seasons have gone.”
Cassidy added the opponent won’t factor much into which 27-year-old starts.
Thompson is used to fighting for everything he has accomplished in hockey, taking an unorthodox route to the NHL. In 2021, he became the first goalie from U Sports — Canada’s version of the NCAA — to play in the league since 1994.
Thompson made the All-Star Game in 2022-23, his official rookie season, but lower-body injuries forced him out of the lineup for most of the season’s second half. He entered this season as the backup, but with Hill’s health issues, Thompson has taken advantage to help lead the Knights to the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years.
Over his past 11 games, Thompson has a 2.14 goals-against average with a .926 save percentage. Take away two games in which he allowed a combined 10 goals, and his save percentage rises to .949.
“Last year, individually, was frustrating missing the second half of the year and not being able to put the jersey back on,” Thompson said. “So, I’m just happy to be in the room and put the jersey on every day and a be part of it.”
Cassidy said some of the credit has to go to the improved defensive play in front of Thompson as well as the fact the Knights are tied for third with fewest penalty minutes per game at 7.4. And, Cassidy said, Thompson is simply motivated to play in his first postseason.
“I think he’s under control better maybe than at the start of the year,” Cassidy said. “So that tells me probably his technique is solid.”
Hill was the player the Knights turned to last postseason when Laurent Brossoit was injured in Game 3 of the second-round series against Edmonton. Not only did Hill keep Vegas alive, he went 11-4 with a .932 save percentage and 2.17 goals allowed per game.
His stellar play carried over to this season when Hill went 10-2-2 with a 1.87 GAA and .935 save percentage before suffering a lower-body injury.
He had a similar four-game stretch in January and February, posting 4-0 record with a 1.75 GAA and .947 percentage, but Hill has fought injuries and inconsistent play since then. Going back to Feb. 12, he is 5-9 with a 3.76 GAA and .876 save percentage entering Thursday night’s regular-season finale against Anaheim.
“His numbers aren’t as good the last ‘X’ amount of games than they were at the start,” Cassidy said. “We can’t hide from that. But his game doesn’t look bad right now. Pucks are finding their way in, whether it’s through some holes or some bounces or whatever. So he just has to stick with it mentally and get through those challenges because we know what he’s capable of.”
Hill, who acknowledged his play could be better, said he could draw on the success of last season’s playoff experience.
Whether Hill gets another chance to repeat that postseason run or plays more of a secondary role will soon be determined.
“I’ve never really seen a team rotate goalies in the playoffs, so we’ll see,” Hill said. “I’ll just take it day by day.”
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Max Olson
FRISCO, Texas — A dynamic new quarterback, a new offensive system and two projected first-round picks up front have Utah coach Kyle Whittingham feeling enthusiastic about the Utes’ chances of bouncing back from a disastrous debut season in the Big 12.
Utah was voted No. 1 in the Big 12 preseason poll last year after joining from the Pac-12, but a brutal run of injuries and inconsistency resulted in a seven-game conference losing streak and a 5-7 finish — the program’s first losing season since 2013.
After weeks of contemplation about his future and what was best for the program, Whittingham, the third-longest-tenured head coach in FBS, decided in December to return for his 21st season with the Utes.
“The bottom line and the final analysis was I couldn’t step away on that note,” Whittingham told ESPN at Big 12 media days Wednesday. “It was too frustrating, too disappointing. As much as college football has changed with all the other factors that might pull you away, that was the overriding reason: That’s not us, that’s not who we are. It just left a bad taste in my mouth. I did not want to miss the opportunity to try to get that taste out.”
“The bottom line and the final analysis was I couldn’t step away on that note. It was too frustrating, too disappointing. … That’s not us. That’s not who we are. It just left a bad taste in my mouth. I did not want to miss the opportunity to try to get that taste out.”
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham on going 5-7 in 2024
Whittingham and Utes defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley conducted a national search for a new offensive coordinator and quickly zeroed in on New Mexico‘s Jason Beck. Then they managed to land Devon Dampier, Beck’s first-team All-Mountain West quarterback, via the transfer portal.
After finishing 11th nationally in total offense with 3,934 yards and 31 total touchdowns and putting up the fourth-most rushing yards (1,166) among all FBS starters, Dampier followed his coach to Salt Lake City and immediately asserted himself as a difference-maker for a program that had to start four different QBs in 2024.
“He’s a terrific athlete,” Whittingham said. “He’s a guy that, if spring is any indication, he’s an exciting player, and we can’t wait to watch him this season. … He’s got that ‘it’ factor. He’s a leader. Needless to say, very excited to see what he does for us.”
They’ve surrounded Dampier with 21 more newcomers via the transfer portal and will protect him with two returning starters at tackle in Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, who are projected first-round NFL draft picks by ESPN’s Matt Miller.
“We feel they’re the best tandem in the country,” Whittingham said. “The offensive line in general, I feel, it’s the best since I’ve been there. And that’s quite a statement. We’ve had some really good offensive lines. We’ve got two first-rounders and three seniors inside that have played a lot of good football for us. That better be a strength of ours, and that’s what we’re counting on.”
Whittingham has previously said he did not want to coach past the age of 65. Now that he’s 65, he acknowledges that he might’ve arrived at a different decision about his future had the Utes ended up winning the Big 12 in 2024. He is reenergized about getting them back into contention, but he’s not ready to say whether this season might be his last.
“The best answer I can give you is, right now, I’m excited and passionate about going to work every single day,” Whittingham said. “As soon as that changes, I’ll know it’s time. I’m just counting on knowing when the time is right. I can’t tell you exactly what the circumstances will be other than losing the fire in the belly.”
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Jesse Rogers
The automated ball-strike system is coming to the All-Star Game next week in Atlanta.
MLB officials added the feature to the annual exhibition game knowing it could be a precursor to becoming a permanent part of the major leagues as soon as next year.
The same process used this past spring training will be used for the Midsummer Classic: Each team will be given two challenges with the ability to retain them if successful. Only a pitcher, catcher or hitter can ask for a challenge and it has to happen almost immediately after the pitch. The player will tap his hat or helmet indicating to the umpire he wants to challenge while any help from the dugout or other players on the field is not allowed.
MLB officials say 72% of fans who were polled during spring training said the impact of ABS on their experience at the game was a “positive” one. Sixty-nine percent said they’d like it part of the game moving forward. Just 10% expressed negativity toward it.
MLB’s competition committee will meet later this summer to determine if ABS will be instituted next season after the league tested the robotic system throughout the minor leagues and spring training in recent years. Like almost any rule change, there were mixed reviews from players about using ABS but nearly all parties agree on one point: They prefer a challenge system as opposed to the technology calling every pitch.
As was the case in spring training, once a review is initiated, an animated replay of the pitch will be shown on the scoreboard and the home plate umpire will either uphold the call or overturn it. ABS uses Hawk-Eye system technology which tracks the pitch trajectory and location in relation to the strike zone, providing an instant assessment which can be relayed to the home plate umpire.
The All-Star Game will be played at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday.
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